PUTRAJAYA: The country`s education system needs to be continuously improved to ensure the quality of education is at par with that of developed countries, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said hence, a review of the country`s whole education system was being carried out to understand the policy guidelines for achievements and developing the basics based on challenges faced by the school system with focus on efforts to improve standards and narrowing disparities.

Muhyiddin who is also Education Minister, said for the first phase, evaluation of the education system was being carried out by forming an independent local and international evaluation panel with the aim of giving input and guidance on the evaluation process.

"In supporting this evaluation process, expert advice is also sought from Unesco through the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Dec 18, 2001 on studying Malaysia`s education policies," he said when delivering a special address to officers and staff of the ministry at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre yesterday.

"The appointed panel helps by providing advice and expertise, and by obtaining various opinions and perspectives on the nation`s education system.

Muhyiddin was confident that a complete evaluation report and direction for the country`s education system could be tabled by the year-end.

He said through transformation of the national education system, the government also targeted to expand broadband penetration in schools nationwide and to provide a cyber learning environment for all students.

He said up to Dec 31, 2011, 200 schools had been installed with broadband facility and by April this year, 1,052 schools would be able to enjoy this facility.

"By the end of 2012, 7,902 schools natiowide are expected to get broadband facility and create a cyber learning environment for the students. The installation of broadband facility for all schools is scheduled for completion in March 2013." Muhyiddin said the education transformation efforts had shown some positive results in the form of increased pre-school enrolment to 76.3 per cent, 97.5 per cent literacy among pupils, 96.8 per cent having mastered numeracy skills, 52 schools recognised as high-prestige, while 304 schools had improved their performance under the Schools Development Programme.

He said to ensure access to quality education, three new infrastructure projects and 1,967 continued projects were given for this year with an allocation of RM4.58 billion.

He added that 600 old and dilapidated schools in the rural and urban areas would be repaired and upgraded.

At a news conference later, Muhyiddin said the National Education System Evaluation Panel would have additional members to further strengthen it.

He had last December appointed the panel comprising seven experts from various sectors with Albukhary International University vice-chancellor Prof Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak as the chairman.